HOUSTON, Sept. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC. announced today that its executive officers and Board members will ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on Thursday, September 6, 2012, to commemorate the company's 15-year anniversary of listing on the exchange. Atwood Oceanics, Inc. was founded in 1968, and its shares were traded publicly on another US exchange prior to moving its listing to the NYSE in 1997.

"We are transforming our offshore drilling rig fleet through our ambitious high-specification rig construction program," commented Rob Saltiel, President and CEO. "Over the next two years, we will take delivery of two 400-foot jackups and two ultra-deepwater drillships currently under construction, further enhancing our market reach and technical capabilities to better serve our clients. Atwood Oceanics' prospects have never been brighter, so this is an excellent time to be celebrating our company's longevity and success on the New York Stock Exchange."

Rob Saltiel will also present at the Barclays CEO Energy-Power Conference in New York City on Tuesday, 4 September 2012. A copy of the company's presentation can be viewed on the company's website at www.atwd.com.

Atwood Oceanics, Inc. is an international offshore drilling contractor engaged in the drilling and completion of exploratory and developmental oil and gas wells. The company currently owns 11 mobile offshore drilling units and is constructing two ultra-deepwater drillships and two high-specification jackups for deliveries in 2012, 2013 and 2014. The company was founded in 1968 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Atwood Oceanics, Inc. common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "ATW."

Forward Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release with respect to the future, including the anticipated shipyard deliveries of our rigs under construction, are forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's reasonable judgment with respect to future events. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated as a result of various factors including: uncertainties related to the level of activity in offshore oil and gas exploration and development; oil and gas prices; competition and market conditions in the contract drilling industry; the risks inherent in the construction of a rig; delays in the commencement of operations of a rig following delivery; our ability to enter into and the terms of future contracts; possible cancellation or suspension of drilling contracts; the availability of qualified personnel; labor relations; operating hazards and risks; terrorism and political and other uncertainties inherent in foreign operations (including risk of war, civil disturbances, seizure or damage to equipment and exchange and currency fluctuations); the impact of governmental and industry laws and regulations; and environmental matters. These factors and others are described and discussed in our most recently filed annual report on Form 10-K, in our Forms 10-Q for subsequent periods and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission which are available on the SEC's website as www.sec.gov. Each forward looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement and we undertake no duty to update the content of this press release or any forward-looking statement contained herein to conform the statement to actual results or to reflect changes in our expectations.

SOURCE Atwood Oceanics, Inc.